On May 16, 2019, the University of Washington welcomed Stephen Lewis, co-director of AIDS-Free World, for the Stephen Gloyd Endowed Lecture. Lewis co-founded AIDS-Free World in 2007 with the hopes of starting a non-profit organization that creates more effective worldwide responses to HIV and AIDS. The organization examines several factors within the AIDS epidemic, including discrimination and violence against women, the LGBT community, disabled persons, and poor and marginalized populations. Prior to launching AIDS-Free World, Lewis was the United Nations special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa. He is also chair of the board of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, a non-profit that assists people in Africa affected by HIV/AIDS.
Lewis' lecture called for advocacy in global health to reduce new HIV infections among young women and girls, as well as for better prevention of gender-based violence and swifter action on climate change. "We're far from the end of AIDS," Lewis said. "We must never let up until it's achieved. What gives me hope is the power and strength at the grassroots."